Imaging of perianal fistulas

Manon Ziech, Richelle Felt-Bersma, Jaap Stoker

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

42 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Perianal fistulas, cryptoglandular or Crohn's disease related, have a tendency to recur. Recurrence is usually due to missed infection during surgery for cryptoglandular fistulas or insufficient response to medical treatment in Crohn's disease. It is now recognized that preoperative imaging (endoanal ultrasound and MRI) can help to identify extensions that otherwise would be missed during surgery and therefore prevent recurrence. For medical therapy, the extent of the disease and the presence of abscesses are identified with imaging and therapy response can be monitored. The purpose of this review is to give an up-to-date overview of the anal anatomy, classification of perianal fistulas and the role of imaging modalities in management of patients with perianal fistulas
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1037-1045
JournalClinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Volume7
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009

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